Evidence In Officer's Prostitution Ring Case Offers Link To Missing Woman
Police Investigating Michael Johns Find Item Belonging To Missing Mt. Washington Woman
PITTSBURGH -- Police say evidence in the case against a Pittsburgh officer facing charges that he helped run a call-girl service may provide a clue to the disappearance of a Mount Washington woman.Officer Michael Johns is accused of giving drugs to prostitutes and providing vehicles to help conduct a prostitution ring. He is also accused of helping to operate an Internet site promoting the women's services.
Accused cop speaks briefly
When asked if he had anything to say about the charges Monday night, the 16-year police veteran told Channel 4 Action News reporter Ari Hait, "I have no comment, other than my attorney is Lee Rothman. You can contact him for a statement."When Channel 4 Action News reporter Shannon Perrine tried to reach Rothman for a comment, she learned that Johns is now being represented by Jim Ecker and Phil DiLucente, both of whom told her that Johns is innocent and that it will be explained when he has a preliminary hearing on Sept. 9.The Pittsburgh Police Bureau said Johns faces charges of promoting prostitution, drug possession with intent to deliver, criminal conspiracy, insurance fraud and false reports. Chief Nate Harper has no comment during the ongoing investigation, which will be handled by Allegheny County Police.Police said Johns was assigned to the warrant office after he became known as a person of interest in the investigation, and he's now off work with pay while his criminal charges are pending.
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Channel 4 Action News' Janelle Hall reported that police reports say they found a possible clue in the case of a missing woman while they were investigating Johns' case.Alivia Kail, 20, was last seen March 5 and was reported missing by her brother."Right now, to me, it's a break to have her name out there," said Kail's mother, Christine Didiano. "Something that's so little right now could be so big."Investigators say they found a key chain with Kail's name on it inside one of the vehicles that Johns allegedly rented out."I have nothing to do with a key chain, know nothing about a key chain and we see know nothing and nobody knows anything about a key chain," Ecker said.
Mom Speaks About Missing Daughter
"Our client has never met, spoken with, would even know what she would look like, and we have spoken to him, so clearly he has nothing to do with this woman," DiLucente said.Johns has not been charged in connection with Kail's disappearance. Police have not said that he is a suspect in her case.Kail's mother and others have long looked at the woman's then-boyfriend, Alex Lorenzi, as having something to do with her disappearance, but Lorenzi's lawyer, Doug Sughrue, said the man should not be connected to it."It's nice to know the police officers are continuing their investigation on the disappearance of Alivia Kail, and hopefully it'll lead them away from my client and onto any real leads," Sughrue said.Didiano said she just hopes that the new evidence may bring her daughter home."Just bring her back. Just give her back to us," Didiano said."That's all I want."Kail is described as white, 5 feet 1 inch tall, 110 pounds, with green eyes, a pierced lip and nose, and sandy-colored hair that she often changes. Anyone who sees her or knows her whereabouts is asked to call police at 412-473-1251. Callers may remain anonymous.
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